unlocking
democracy
Unlocking Democracy is a community support program and the central hub for Policing Equity’s community-centered resources, initiatives, and interactive working groups. This program is designed to support community leaders seeking to build more equitable public safety systems. This work is conducted through collaborative partnerships with values-aligned organizations and government officials that share Unlocking Democracy’s goal to uplift the efforts of Black and other historically marginalized communities in confronting racial disparities in policing.
Learning Communities
Many communities are exploring ways to redesign public safety; however, much of the dialogue, policy, and practice around these models are fairly new. In response, CPE hosts a joint series of Learning Communities focused on policing alternatives.
These virtual learning communities assist interdisciplinary teams seeking to implement, sustain, and evaluate policing alternatives. Our Spring 2025 sessions included Community Violence Intervention Programs, Community and Crisis Response Teams to Improve Responses to Youth, Support HBCU Behavioral Health Crisis Responses, and Substance Use and Overdose Community Response Programs.
Upcoming Modules
Our Spring 2026 sessions applications are open!
HBCU Behavioral Health Crisis Response
Strengthening crisis response strategies on Historically Black College and University (HBCU) campuses and in their surrounding communities.
Session dates:
January 22, 2026
February 26, 2026
March 26, 2026
April 23, 2026
May 14, 2026
All sessions will take place 2:00-3:30 p.m. ET via Zoom.
Data Connections
Supporting community-centered safety programs in the collection and effective use of data.
Session dates:
January 14, 2026
February 11, 2026
March 11, 2026
April 8, 2026
May 13, 2026
All sessions will take place 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET via Zoom.
Gender-Responsive Community Safety
Advancing community-based responses for girls, women, transgender women, and non-binary people at risk of criminal legal involvement.
Session dates:
January 15, 2026
February 19, 2026
March 19, 2026
April 16, 2026
May 21, 2026
All sessions will take place 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET via Zoom.
Faith-Based Community
Safety
Supporting Black faith leaders and community organizations in enhancing safety and wellness within congregations and neighborhoods.
Session dates:
January 21, 2026
February 18, 2026
March 18, 2026
April 15, 2026
May 20, 2026
All sessions will take place 2:00–3:30 p.m. ET via Zoom.
How to Join
Interdisciplinary teams can apply to join an upcoming learning community cohort by clicking on any of the learning module links above. Teams applying to participate should include multidisciplinary members including essential community members and professionals positioned to achieve program goals.
Elected Leaders Council
CPE’s Elected Leaders Council is a peer-to-peer learning community for elected officials nationwide who are dedicated to spearheading innovative efforts to take actionable steps toward true public safety reform.
The Elected Leaders Council brings together elected officials and staff members seeking to implement new approaches to public safety, including Consent Search Reform, Ending Low-Level Traffic Stops, Non-Police Traffic Enforcement, and Police Stop Data Transparency.
Upcoming Council Sessions
Elected Leaders Council 2026
The 2026 Elected Leaders Council (ELC) will bring together elected officials and their staff to strengthen messaging and storytelling around community-centered safety. Through sessions on effective messaging strategies, storytelling with data, and media engagement, participants will gain tools to counter misleading crime narratives and promote evidence-based, community-centered approaches to safety. Check back soon for session dates and information on how to join!
How to Join
Elected officials and staff members of elected officials can register for upcoming sessions by clicking on the register button above. To learn more about other opportunities to receive assistance in piloting alternatives to law enforcement in communities, contact us at elc@policingequity.org.